Eyelid Twitch

What is eyelid twitch?

Eyelid twitch or twitching is a series of rapid, uncontrolled
contractions or spasms of one or all four eyelids. The twitches often
occur in irregular rhythms. The medical term for this symptom is
myokymia. Sometimes the term eye twitching is used to describe
blepharospasm, a condition characterized by increased involuntary eye
blinking. Blepharospasm is classified as a dystopia, a disorder in which
the nervous system signals muscles to contract inappropriately.
Blepharospam typically involves all four eyelids.

Eyelid twitch may occur with other eye symptoms, such as watery eyes
and irritated or red eyes or eyelids. Sometimes eyelid twitch appears
along with facial tics, which are other involuntary movements of the
face including grimacing and nose twitching.

The vast majority of
spontaneous eye twitch episodes are benign, self-limited, and leave no
clues as to their cause. The most common known causes of eye twitch
include fatigue, stress, anxiety, and excessive caffeine intake. Eyelid
twitch may appear in response to irritation caused by smoke, dust, or a
foreign body in the eye. Allergies and infections may also cause
irritation that leads to twitching. Eyelid twitch is seen in primary
congenital glaucoma. Various conditions that affect the central nervous
system and brain, such as stroke, can also result in eyelid twitch.

In most cases, eyelid twitch goes away on its own with rest or removal of irritating factors. If you have persistent eyelid twitch, contact your health care provider to determine the underlying cause and to obtain any treatment that may be needed.

Eyelid twitch is not an emergency unless it is associated with a stroke. Seek immediate medical care (call 911) if you, or someone you are with, have symptoms of stroke such as sudden numbness or weakness of the face or a limb, especially on one side of the body, sudden confusion, difficulty seeing, sudden vision changes, sudden difficulty with coordination, or sudden severe, unexplained headache.

Eyelid twitch usually goes away on its own. Seek prompt medical care if it does not resolve within a week, if eyelid twitch closes your eye completely or involves other parts of your face, if you have facial paralysis or partial facial paralysis, if your upper eyelid droops, or if you experience discharge, redness, and swelling in or around the eye.

Ophthalmologic symptoms that may occur along with eyelid twitch

What causes eyelid twitch?

The most common causes of eyelid twitch are caffeine, fatigue, anxiety and stress. Eyelid twitch may appear in response to irritation caused by smoke, dust, or a foreign body in the eye. Allergies and infections may also cause irritation that leads...
Read more about eyelid twitchcauses